Closure and container package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation

ABSTRACT

A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation includes a plastic container having a cylindrical finish and at least one external thread on the finish spaced from the open end of the finish. An external circumferentially extending first engagement element is provided on the finish between the external thread and the open end of the finish, and has an outside diameter that is less than that of the external thread. A manually deflectable release element is externally cantilevered from the finish on a side of the thread remote from the open end. A plastic closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread for engagement with the at least one external thread on the finish in a child-resistant mode of operation. There is at least one locking lug on the skirt for releasable engagement with the release element on the container in the child-resistant mode of operation. An annular wall extends from the base wall in a direction opposite from the skirt. A second engagement element is disposed on the inner surface of the annular wall for engagement with the first engagement element on the container finish in an inverted non-child-resistant mode of operation of the closure. In disclosed embodiments of the invention, the engagement elements may comprise circumferential beads or circumferential threads on the container finish and the annular wall of the closure.

[0001] The present invention relates to child-resistant closure andcontainer packages, such as medicinal packages for example, to closuresand containers for such packages, and to methods of making suchpackages.

[0002] Reference is made to U.S. applications (Dockets 17794, 17795,17926, 17953 and 17956) assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,899,348, 6,039,195 and 6,327,770 discloseclosure and container packages that are particularly well suited forprescription applications. The container includes a sidewall with anexternally threaded finish and a deflectable release elementcantilevered from the finish on a side of the threads remote from theopen mouth of the container. The closure includes a base wall with aninternally threaded peripheral skirt having locking lugs at the edge ofthe skirt remote from the base wall. These locking lugs on the skirtcooperate with a locking lug on the deflectable release element of thecontainer to secure the closure to the container in a child-resistantmode of operation. To release the closure, the release element isdeflected downwardly toward the container sidewall to move the lockinglug on the release element out of engagement with the locking lugs onthe closure skirt. A dome extends from the inner periphery of the basewall and has an external thread that is adapted to be received withinthe open mouth of the container in an inverted non-child-resistant modeof operation of the closure. Although the packages disclosed in thenoted patents have enjoyed substantial commercial acceptance andsuccess, improvements remain desirable. In particular, it is desirableto provide a package of this general type in which material and partcosts are reduced, and in which the overall height of the packagepresents a lower profile for handling and storage.

[0004] The present invention embodies a number of aspects that can beimplemented separately from or, more preferably, in combination witheach other.

[0005] A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes ofoperation in accordance with one aspect of the present inventionincludes a plastic container having a cylindrical finish and at leastone external thread on the finish spaced from the open end of thefinish. An external circumferentially extending first engagement elementis provided on the finish between the external thread and the open endof the finish, and has an outside diameter that is less than that of theexternal thread. A manually deflectable release element is externallycantilevered from the finish on a side of the thread remote from theopen end. A plastic closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt withat least one internal thread for engagement with the at least oneexternal thread on the finish in a child-resistant mode of operation.There is at least one locking lug on the skirt for releasable engagementwith the release element on the container in the child-resistant mode ofoperation. An annular wall extends from the base wall in a directionopposite from the skirt. A second engagement element is disposed on theinner surface of the annular wall for engagement with the firstengagement element on the container finish in an invertednon-child-resistant mode of operation of the closure. In disclosedembodiments of the invention, the engagement elements may comprisecircumferential beads or circumferential threads on the container finishand the annular wall of the closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention, together with additional objects, features,advantages and aspects thereof, will be best understood from thefollowing description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawingsin which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a closure and container packagein a child-resistant mode of operation in accordance with one exemplarybut presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package illustratedin FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 2 within the area 3;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package in FIG. 1 ina non-child-resistant mode of operation;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 4 within the area 5;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the container in thepackage of FIGS. 1-4;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the container in FIG. 6;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned elevational view of the closure inthe package of FIGS. 1-4;

[0015]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional views on an enlarged scale ofthe portion of FIG. 8 within the area 9;

[0016]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a package in accordancewith a second exemplary but presently preferred embodiment of theinvention in a child-resistant mode of operation;

[0017]FIG. 11 is fragmentary sectional view of the package in FIG. 10 ina non-child-resistant mode of operation;

[0018]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of the container in thepackage of FIGS. 10-11; and

[0019]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the closure in thepackage of FIGS. 10-11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020]FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a closure and container package 20 inaccordance with one exemplary but presently preferred embodiment of theinvention as including a container 22 and a closure 24. Container 22preferably is of one-piece molded construction of suitable plastic suchas polypropylene. Likewise, closure 24 preferably is of one-piece moldedplastic construction of suitable resin material such as polypropylene.However, description of closure and container package 20 as comprising aone-piece container and a one-piece closure does not preclude inclusionof other elements in the package, such as a sealing liner secured overthe container mouth that must be removed to dispense product from thecontainer, devices to hold down pelletized products such as vitamintablets within the container, etc. The package can be employed fordispensing prescriptions, medicinal products such as vitamins oraspirin, etc.

[0021] Container 22 includes a body 26 from which a finish 28 integrallyextends. Finish 28 includes a first portion 30 (FIGS. 2 and 6) adjacentto and surrounding the mouth at the open end of the finish, and a secondportion 32 contiguous with portion 30 and spaced from the open end ofthe container. The outside diameter d1 (FIG. 6) of container portion 30is less than the outside diameter d2 of container portion 32. At leastone external thread 34 is disposed around container finish portion 32.An external bead 36 is disposed around container portion 30 at oradjacent to the open end of the container finish, and is thus disposedbetween external threads 34 and the open end of the container finish.External bead 36 preferably has an outside diameter equal to the outsidediameter d2 of finish portion 32. Bead 36 may be disposed at the openend of the container as illustrated in the drawings, or spaced axiallyfrom the open end of the container. (Directional words such as “upper”and “lower” are employed by way of description and not limitation withrespect to the upright orientation of the container and packageillustrated in the drawings. Directional words such as “radial” and“axial” are employed by way of description and not limitation withrespect to the central axis of the container finish or the closure asappropriate.) A release element 38 is flexibly and resilientlycantilevered radially outwardly from the lower end of container finish28. A locking lug 40 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is carried by release element 38.Release element 38 and locking lug 40 preferably are as disclosed inabove-noted U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,899,348,6,039,195 and 6,327,770. Therelease element and locking lug alternatively but less preferably may beas disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,442. The disclosures of thesepatents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] Closure 24 includes a base wall 42 and a peripheral skirt 44 withone or more internal threads 46. A flange 48 extends radially outwardlyfrom the lower edge of skirt 44 remote from base wall 42 in thepreferred embodiments of the invention, and an outer skirt 50 extendsfrom the outer peripheral edge of flange 48. Skirts 44, 50 preferablyare cylindrical and concentric with the axis of the closure. At leastone locking lug 52 is disposed on the internal surface of skirt 50. Anannular wall 54 extends axially from base wall 42 in a directionopposite from skirt 44. In the preferred embodiments of the invention,annular wall 54 is disposed radially inwardly from skirt 44 and iscoaxial with skirt 44. A circumferential bead 56 extends radiallyinwardly from the inner surface of annular wall 54 at a position spacedfrom base wall 42. A seal rib 58 is disposed on the undersurface of basewall 42 radially inwardly of and concentrically with skirt 44. In thepreferred embodiments of the closure illustrated in the drawings, basewall 42 is of flat planar annular construction, having concentric innerand outer peripheral edges. Internally threaded skirt 44 extends fromthe outer peripheral edge of base wall 42. A projection or plug 60preferably extends from the inner peripheral edge of base wall 42 in adirection opposite from skirt 44, and is disposed radially inwardly fromannular wall 54. Projection 60 has a flat upper wall on which printingmay be molded or otherwise provided to advise a user how to open thepackage in the child-resistant mode of operation, or that the package isnon-child-resistant in the non-child-resistant mode of operation (FIG.2) of the closure (FIG. 4). Projection 60 preferably is cylindrical, andmay be solid or, more preferably, hollow as shown in the drawing.

[0023] In the child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in FIGS.1-3, closure skirt 44 is threaded over external threads 34 on containerfinish portion 32 until one of the internal locking lugs 52 on closure24 rides over locking lug 40 on release element 38. Abutment of thelocking lugs prevents counterclockwise rotation of the closure withrespect to the finish, and thus prevents removal of the closure from thecontainer in the child-resistant mode of operation. Seal bead 58 on theunderside of base wall 42 is in engagement with and compressed by theaxial end of container finish 28, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, to sealthe package. To remove the closure in the child-resistant mode ofoperation, release element 38 is pushed downwardly away from the closureskirt. Locking lug 40 on release element 38 is thus moved downwardlywith the release element out of locking engagement with lug 52 onclosure 24, so that the closure can now be rotated counterclockwise andunthreaded from the container finish. The reduced diameter of containerfinish portion 30 and bead 36 with respect to container finish portion32 and external threads 34 permit closure skirt 44 readily to bereceived over the open end of the container finish.

[0024] To use closure 24 in a non-child-resistant mode of operation,such as for elderly persons with impaired manual dexterity for whomchild-resistance is not needed, the closure is inverted to theorientation of FIG. 4. The closure is then pressed downwardly onto thefinish of the container so that closure bead 56 on annular wall 54resiliently cams wall 54 radially outwardly until bead 56 is received bysnap fit over bead 36 at the end of container finish portion 30. Bead 56preferably is rounded or has axially facing slope cam surfaces to assistsecurement of the closure to the container in a non-child-resistant modeof operation, and to assist removal of the closure. Inward dispositionof annular wall 54 with respect to the outer peripheral edge of closurebase wall 42 and skirt 44 provide flexibility to the annular wall forresilient receipt by snap fit over the end of the container finish.Beads 36, 56 preferably are dimensioned so that securement of theclosure to the container in the non-child-resistant mode of FIG. 4brings the upper end of the container into facing engagement with theopposing surface of closure base wall 42. Such abutting engagementcooperates with the engaged beads to seal the package in thenon-child-resistant mode of operation.

[0025]FIGS. 10-13 illustrate a closure and container package 70,including a container 72 and a closure 74, in accordance with a secondexemplary but presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Referencenumerals in FIGS. 10-13 that are identical to those employed inconnection with FIGS. 1-9 indicate identical or related components. Thediscussion of the embodiment of FIGS. 10-13 will concentrate on thedifferences between this embodiment and that of FIGS. 1-9 alreadydiscussed in detail. The primary difference between package 70 in FIGS.10-13 and package 20 in FIGS. 1-9 is that the closure threadably engagesthe container finish in the non-child-resistant mode of operation inFIG. 11, as distinguished from the snap-bead engagement in FIG. 4. Thatis, one or more external threads 76 (FIG. 12) extend circumferentiallyaround upper finish portion 30. These threads 76 have an outsidediameter that is substantially equal to the outside diameter d2 ofcontainer finish portion 32, so that closure skirt 44 is freelyreceivable over the container finish in the child-resistant mode ofoperation (FIG. 10). Likewise, one or more internal threads 78 (FIGS. 10and 13) extend around the internal surface of closure annular wall 54.In the non-child-resistant mode of operation (FIG. 11), annular wall 54is received over upper finish portion 30 and threads 76, 78 threadablyengage to bring the end of the container finish into sealing engagementwith the opposing surface of closure base wall 42.

[0026] There have thus been disclosed a closure and container package, aclosure, a container, and a method of making a closure and containerpackage that fully satisfy all of the objects and aims previously setforth. The invention has been disclosed in conjunction with twoexemplary but presently preferred embodiments thereof, and a number ofmodifications and variations have been described. Other modificationsand variations will readily suggest themselves to persons of ordinaryskill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all suchmodifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

1. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes ofoperation, which includes: a plastic container having a cylindricalfinish and an open end, at least one external thread on said finish, anexternal circumferentially extending first engagement element on saidfinish between said at least one external thread and said open end, saidfirst engagement element having an outside diameter that is less thanthat of said external thread, and a manually deflectable release elementexternally cantilevered from said finish on a side of said at least onethread remote from said open end, and a plastic closure having a basewall, a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread forengagement with said at least one external thread on said finish in achild-resistant mode of operation, at least one locking lug on saidskirt for releasable engagement with said release element in thechild-resistant mode of operation, an annular wall extending from saidbase wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said annular wallbeing disposed radially inwardly from said skirt, and a secondengagement element on an inner surface of said annular wall forengagement with said first engagement element on said finish in aninverted non-child-resistant mode of operation of said closure.
 2. Thepackage set forth in claim 1 wherein said finish has a first portionadjacent to said open end on which said first engagement element isdisposed and a second portion spaced from said open end on which said atleast one external thread is disposed, said second portion having anouter diameter that is greater than that of said first portion.
 3. Thepackage set forth in claim 2 wherein said first engagement element onsaid finish has an external diameter that is equal to said externaldiameter of said second portion of said finish.
 4. The package set forthin claim 2 wherein said first engagement element includes an externalbead on said finish, and said second engagement element includes aninternal bead on said annular wall.
 5. The package set forth in claim 1wherein said first engagement element includes at least one secondexternal thread on said finish, and said second engagement elementincludes at least one internal thread on said annular wall.
 6. A packagehaving child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, whichincludes: a plastic container having a cylindrical finish with an openend, at least one external thread on said finish, an externalcircumferential bead on said finish adjacent to said open end, said beadhaving an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter ofsaid at least one external thread, and a manually deflectable releaseelement cantilevered from said finish on a side of said at least oneexternal thread remote from said end, and a plastic closure having abase wall, a peripheral skirt with at least one internal thread forengagement with said at least one external thread on said finish in achild-resistant mode of operation, at least one locking lug on saidskirt for releasable engagement with said release element in thechild-resistant mode of operation, an annular wall extending from saidbase wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said annular wallbeing disposed radially inwardly from said skirt, and an internal beadon said annular wall for engagement with said external bead on saidcontainer finish in an inverted non-child-resistant mode of operation ofsaid closure.
 7. The package set forth in claim 6 wherein said finishhas a first portion adjacent to said open end on which said externalbead is disposed and a second portion spaced from said open end on whichsaid at least one external thread is disposed, said second portionhaving an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of saidfirst portion.
 8. The package set forth in claim 7 wherein said bead hasan outer diameter equal to said outer diameter of said second portion ofsaid finish.
 9. The package set forth in claim 6 wherein said annularwall is resiliently flexible radially outwardly when said internal beadon said annular wall is received over said external bead on saidcontainer finish in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.
 10. Apackage having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes ofoperation, which includes: a plastic container having a cylindricalfinish with an open end, at least one first external thread on saidfinish spaced from said open end, at least one second external thread onsaid finish adjacent to said open end, said second external threadhaving an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter ofsaid first external thread, and a manually deflectable release elementcantilevered from said finish on a side of said first external threadremote from said end, and a plastic closure having a base wall, aperipheral skirt with at least one first internal thread for engagementwith said at least one first external thread on said finish in achild-resistant mode of operation, at least one locking lug on saidskirt for releasable engagement with said release element in thechild-resistant mode of operation, an annular wall extending from saidbase wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said annular wallbeing disposed radially inwardly from said skirt, and at least onesecond internal thread on said annular wall for engagement with said atleast one second external thread on said container finish in an invertednon-child-resistant mode of operation of said closure.
 11. The packageset forth in claim 10 wherein said finish has a first portion adjacentto said open end on which said at least one second external thread isdisposed and a second portion spaced from said open end on which said atleast one first external thread is disposed, said second portion havingan outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of said firstportion.
 12. The package set forth in claim 11 wherein said at least onesecond external thread has an outside diameter equal to said outsidediameter of said second portion of said finish.
 13. A container thatincludes: a body having a cylindrical finish with an open end, saidfinish having a first portion adjacent to said open end with a firstoutside diameter and a second portion spaced from said open end with asecond outside diameter greater than said first outside diameter, atleast one external thread on said second portion of said finish, anexternal engagement element on said first portion of said finish andhaving an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter ofsaid at least one external thread, and a release element cantileveredfrom said finish on a side of said external thread remote from said openend.
 14. The container set forth in claim 13 wherein said engagementelement comprises an external bead.
 15. The container set forth in claim13 wherein said engagement element comprises at least one secondexternal thread.
 16. A closure for receipt on a container inchild-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, whichincludes: a base wall having a peripheral skirt with at least oneinternal thread, at least one locking lug adjacent to an edge of saidskirt remote from said base wall for locking engagement with a releaseelement on a container in a child-resistant mode of operation of saidclosure, an annular wall extending from said base wall in a directionopposite from said skirt, and a circumferentially extending engagementelement on an inside surface of said annular wall for engagement with acomplementary engagement element on a container finish in anon-child-resistant mode of operation of said closure.
 17. The closureset forth in claim 16 wherein said engagement element on said annularwall comprises an internal circumferential bead.
 18. The closure setforth in claim 17 wherein said annular wall is disposed radiallyinwardly from said skirt and is radially resiliently flexible.
 19. Theclosure set forth in claim 16 wherein said engagement element on saidannular wall comprises at least one internal thread.
 20. A method ofmaking a package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes ofoperation, which includes the steps of: (a) providing a container havinga cylindrical finish and an open end, at least one external thread onsaid finish, an external circumferentially extending first engagementelement on said finish between said at least one external thread andsaid open end, said first engagement element having an outside diameterthat is less than that of said external thread, and a manuallydeflectable release element externally cantilevered from said finish ona side of said at least one thread remote from said open end, and (b)providing a closure having a base wall, a peripheral skirt with at leastone internal thread for engagement with said at least one externalthread on said finish in a child-resistant mode of operation, at leastone locking lug on said skirt for releasable engagement with saidrelease element in the child-resistant mode of operation, an annularwall extending from said base wall in a direction opposite from saidskirt, said annular wall being disposed radially inwardly from saidskirt, and a second engagement element on an inner surface of saidannular wall for engagement with said first engagement element on saidfinish in an inverted non-child-resistant mode of operation of saidclosure.